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14 February 2013

Minister Fitzgerald Encourages People to Participate in Family, Gender Roles and National Identity Survey

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald T.D., has encouraged the recipients of 5,000 surveys on family, gender roles and national identity to participate in the international research by filling out and returning their questionnaire.

The research programme is part of an international investigation, tracking attitudes and behaviour over the past twenty-five years in 48 countries worldwide. Questionnaires will be arriving in 5,000 homes across Ireland this week in an attempt to provide an accurate account of views on nationality, family life and Ireland’s global positioning. The research is funded by the Department and Children and Youth Affairs and the Irish Research Council and is being conducted by researchers from University College Dublin’s School of Sociology and the Geary Institute.

“This national survey has been sent to 5,000 homes throughout Ireland. The questionnaire looks at issues ranging from attitudes to marriage, family, child rearing and balancing a working life with parenthood to defining Irishness and exploring attitudes in relation to our relationship with our European counterparts and Northern Ireland,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

“This is an opportunity for 5,000 people to have their views reflected in a national study mapping the pattern of opinion across the State. This research project is linked to the International Social Survey Project which includes 48 countries, therefore it is important that Ireland’s behaviour and attitudes are reflected in this international study and I would encourage recipients of these surveys to complete them and return them to the research team as soon as possible to ensure that the study is adequately reflective of Irish society,” said Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Surveys were sent to a sample of 5,000 homes chosen at random and sent by post in envelopes marked ‘The Resident’ and all information received will be treated in the strictest of confidence. The researchers are asking that the adult whose birthday comes first in the calendar year complete and return the questionnaire in the envelope provided or online